Which place is cheaper, Leon or Mexico City?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Should I visit Mexico City or Leon? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Mexico City is one of the largest and most populated cities in the world. There are an estimated 26 million people living in the greater Mexico City metropolitan area. The area is about 60 kilometers by 40 kilometers and is surrounded by tall mountains and volcanoes on three sides. Mexico City proper has about 8.8 million people and is the capital of the country. More than a third of the country's economy is based here, making it the wealthiest city in all of Latin America.
Leon is one of the oldest city's in Nicaragua and you can see hints of its colonial past in the architecture around town. Tourism is not a major part of the economy in Leon, but the city is gaining popularity with budget travelers and backpackers and more recently tour groups are including Leon in their itinerary.
With a population of just over 200,000, Leon is the second largest city in Nicaragua, after Managua. During the university season the population grows dramatically as there is a heavy presence of students in Leon. It is a popular university town, and this young population gives the city plenty of energy and entertainment.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Mexico, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Mexico, The Best 2-Week Tours in Nicaragua, and The Best Adventure Tours to Nicaragua.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Mexico City is $214, while the average daily cost in Leon is $59. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Mexico City and Leon in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Mexico City or Leon? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Mexico City:
Also for Mexico City, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Prices for flights to both Leon and Mexico City change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
For Mexico City, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
For Mexico City, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Leon.
For Mexico City, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
Here are a few actual costs in Leon for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Mexico City:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Mexico City and Leon, we can see that Mexico City is more expensive. And not only is Leon much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Mexico City is in North America and Leon is in Central America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Leon would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Leon and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Mexico City would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Mexico City than you might in Leon.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Mexico City Expensive? and Is Leon Expensive?.
Mexico City has a larger population, and is about 80 times larger than the population of Leon. When comparing the sizes of Mexico City and Leon, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.